Hülkenberg pushes back on F1 criticism: “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to watch”
The Audi driver is among those who support the new rules: “We have to adapt to the times and the races are entertaining, there’s a lot of action.”
Some Formula 1 drivers — Max Verstappen chief among them — have been openly frustrated with how the 2026 regulations are reshaping the sport. But others are choosing a quieter, more measured approach. One of them is veteran Nico Hülkenberg, now 38 years old with 253 Grands Prix under his belt since debuting in 2010. If anyone knows how to adapt to a new era of F1, it’s him.
Hülkenberg told The Drive that he doesn’t put too much weight on the backlash from fans or fellow drivers. “It’s always been like this in F1. The sport leads technology, and you have to adapt. If you look at the auto industry five or ten years ago, it’s different now — it’s changed.”
And for fans who say they don’t enjoy the new style of racing? “Well, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to watch.”
Hülkenberg says early 2026 races have been “entertaining”
From his perspective, the season’s opening rounds have delivered. “If you look at the races we’ve had so far, they’ve been entertaining. Lots of on‑track action.”
As for those who want to ditch the V6 turbo‑hybrid engines and return to the screaming V10s or V12s, Hülkenberg gets the nostalgia — but not the logic. “There are purists who love the old-school sound — me included! But that’s not how the sport works anymore.”
He argues that F1’s push toward sustainability — even if it’s less of a global talking point now — forced the sport to evolve. “If you want to stay relevant as a business and as entertainment, you have to move with the times.”
Big corrections coming in 2027
Even with Hülkenberg’s support, the first races of 2026 made one thing clear: the new power units needed adjustments, especially regarding electric power delivery.
The first fixes arrived in Miami to reduce extreme super‑clipping and massive speed differences on straights. More tweaks are coming later this year — but the biggest shift lands in 2027.
Here’s what changes:
- The current 50/50 split between combustion and electric power will be broken.
- Roughly 67 additional horsepower will shift back toward the internal combustion engine.
- Fuel‑flow limits will increase to support the change.
In short: the cars will rely a bit more on traditional engine power, easing some of the drivability issues drivers have complained about.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.